Thursday, January 7, 2021

CCRA Newsletter

  Center City Residents' Association | 1900 Market St, FL 8, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Call Us Today:
215.546.6719
Weekly E-Newsletter - January 7, 2021
News And Updates
A Dark Day, and the Morning After

America and the world looked on in horror at the scenes that unfolded in the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Americans of any and all political persuasions will not soon forget the countless disturbing images splashed across their screens. It was surreal, and it was nauseating.

But who won? Democracy won, America won, and the American people won, for in the wee hours of Thursday morning, a lawfully-run election was ratified and codified into law. The.  System.  Worked.

It is in that spirit, then, that CCRA approaches the challenges of the New Year. The systems work, and our goal remains the same: Promote Urban Living and Advocate for a Safe, Clean, Diverse, and Supportive Community.

CCRA President Maggie Mund now serves on Controller Rebecca Rhynhart’s Community Accountability and Advisory Council, which is investigating tactics used by the Philadelphia Police Department, specifically the inadequacy or inability of the Department to respond to peaceful protests and unlawful looting, and the use of tax dollars during the response.

Operations Manager Travis Oliver serves as a member of the Mayor’s Commission on Policing. Held by the City’s Public Engagement Committee and entitled “Pathways to Reform, Transformation and Reconciliation,” the Committee’s kickoff meeting was held November 30.

We have an ongoing commitment to measurable goals for minority hiring and purchasing, and to that end, initiated a meeting with Council President Darryl Clarke. Along with the Logan Square Residents Assn. (LSNA), CCRA has secured commitments providing measurable goals from the developers of 21st & Market St. (Brandywine Realty), 23rd & Market St. (Parkway Development), and 19th & 17th & Sansom St. (Pearl Properties).

As part of the Center City Coalition, we have requested from the Mayor and City Council a neighborhood mobile police station staffed with police officers and social workers to improve the effort toward providing a safe, secure, and healthy Center City environment.

We have stepped up our outreach to high-rise buildings in Center City, as increased membership in CCRA is a win-win for the high-rises, for the CCRA, and for the community at large.

Finally, CCRA continues to expand its Communications function, using live events, an online presence, and social media to connect individuals, organizations, and city government.

Useful Links
Our Sponsors:
Alterra Properties Building at 2012-18 Chestnut St.    
    Virtual Public Meeting Information  
 Wed, Jan 13, 2021, 7 pm EST   
  
Access the meeting: Zoom info 
 
Meeting ID: 833 3910 5563
One tap mobile
+16465588656,83339105563# US (New York)
 
Dial-in
1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 833 3910 5563

The Philadelphia Housing Authority ("PHA") has proposed the redevelopment of the vacant, former PHA headquarters located at 2012-18 Chestnut Street. Following a competitive RFP process dating back to 2016, PHA selected Alterra Property Group ("Alterra") and Rheal Capital Management ("RCM") to build a new, mixed-use building with ground-floor retail, market-rate apartments, and "workforce" housing. 
 
"Workforce" apartments are generally reserved for people who earn 80-100%, or less, of the area median income ("AMI") for the Philadelphia Metropolitan Statistical Area ("MSA"). In this instance, following input from CCRA, the income eligibility limit has since been revised lower to only include people earning 80% or less of AMI and to use only data from the City of Philadelphia in determining AMI. Due to the financial implications of renting 20% of the units at a below-market rate, the district's historic requirements, and the desire to contribute an attractive project to the built environment, the development team has worked through many design iterations to make this project viable. 
 
Building Summary
  • Address: 2012-18 Chestnut Street
  • Lot Size – 9,200 SF
  • Building Height – 14 Stories / 161’-4'
  • Building Size – 112,130 Gross SF
  • Number of Market Rate Apartments – 130
  • Number of Affordable Apartments – 32
  • Total Apartments – 162
  • Ground Floor Retail – 4,800 SF
 
Plans will be displayed at the meeting. Public comments will be accepted during and after the presentation thru email until Jan 20, 2021. Email public comments regarding this development to centercity@centercityresidents.org with "Alterra Properties" in the subject line.  
   
This presentation will be recorded, and after the link is established (a few hours after the presentation is concluded), we will post it to our website and Youtube channel.  The meeting is part of the civic design review for this project". 
CCRA Zoning Committee Report is Ready

The Zoning Committee report from the meeting on Tuesday, December 22, 2020, is ready for review.


The next zoning committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 26, at 7 pm. The meeting will be held virtually.
CCRA Virtual Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, January 12, 2021, 6 pm

CCRA members are invited to sit in on our monthly board meeting on Tuesday. If you would like to attend, please notify Operations Manager Travis Oliver and he will send you the link to the meeting.
FBI Needs Help Identifying those Involved in Wednesday's Incident in DC
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is seeking help identifying individuals who were part of the unprecedented chaos Wednesday when supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol. Witnesses are urged to submit information, photos, or videos that could be relevant at fbi.gov/USCapitol.
 
COVID-19 Updates
Community Info and Events
Five Major Museums Re-reopening; here's the details
Need an escape to Civilization? Who doesn’t? The good news is that five major Philly museums will be reopening in January. With limited capacity, masks, and social distancing, of course, but still…. Go love yourself some Art!

Not So Fast: Isaiah Zager’s Mosaics May Survive
Last we heard, Isaiah Zager’s iconic Painted Bride mosaic was being threatened by the wrecking ball as part of the 230 Vine St. building's redevelopment. But hold that wrecking ball, please: Under the latest proposal, developer Shimi Zakin of Atrium Design Group now plans to retain the mosaic as part of the redevelopment. The mosaic’s new neighbors would include 70 residential units, 10 short-term rentals, and ground-floor commercial space.

Philly Street Art in the Year of All Years
2020 was a year like no other and was reflected in Philly street art. Themes of hope, health, and humanity abounded throughout, as the pandemic could not shut down the creative spirit.

Christmas Tree Recycling Program
Be evergreen. Recycle your tree. Help keep live Christmas trees out of the landfill. Please bring them to a drop-off site to return them to good use.

CCRA Merchant Partner Discount/Promotion Program

Please support our local merchants and save money too. These local merchants will provide a discount or promotion to any member who shows a current CCRA membership card and personal identification.

Koresh Dance Company, 2002 Rittenhouse Sq St. (267-687-1769)
Liberty Pet Vets, 265 S. 20th St (888-458-8587
Nature's Gallery Florist, 2124 Walnut St (215-563-5554)
Photo Lounge, 1909 Chestnut St (267-322-6651)
Raven Lounge, 1718 Sansom St. (215-840-3577)
Rittenhouse Hardware, 2001 Pine St. (215-735-6311)
Seafood Unlimited, 270 S. 20th St (215-732-3663) (TEMPORARILY CLOSED)
The Bake Shop on 20th, 269 S. 20th St. (215-644-9714)
Ursula Hobson Fine Art Framing, 1528 Waverly St (215-546-7889)
Veda Modern Indian Bistro, 1920 Chestnut St, (267-519-2001)
Alimentari Restaurant at Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St, 2nd Floor 
Astral Artists - Use promo code "CCRA" to receive a $10 flat rate on all tickets to their virtual concerts.
Blue Sole Shoes, 1805 Chestnut St, (215-496-9244)
Branzino Italian BYOB, 261 S. 17th St, (215-790-0103)
Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St, (uses a separate card, see info here)
Dom's Shoe Repair, 203 S. 20th St (215-972-0098)
East West Acupuncture, center city office closed, but you can use the 10% discount at her Narberth office (415-758-1057)
Eye Candy Vision, 218 S. 20th St (215-568-3937)
Good Karma Cafe, 331 S. 22nd St, (215-546-1479)
1900 Market St, Fl 8
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.546.6719

No comments:

Post a Comment